Saturday, 24 January 2015

"If one could but go to Brighton!" observes Mrs.
Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, "A little sea-bathing would set me up for ever." In my novel Mr. Darcy’s Challenge, she has an
opportunity to do so, though not under the best of circumstances (Lydia has
gone missing). Not surprisingly, despite Mrs. Bennet’s anxiety about her
daughter, she is not about to give up the chance of a lifetime to experience
some sea-dipping.

In Pride and Prejudice,
Lydia’s trip to Brighton plays a pivotal role. The basic themes of the novel –
pride and prejudice, which are two sides of the same coin in many ways – are centered
on the fact that people are limited by one-sided perceptions of the world. These
perceptions, moreover, are flawed. In a few skilled strokes of the quill, Jane illuminates her
characters’ motivations while at the same time showing how each one, in very
different ways, is responsible for the disastrous consequences of Lydia’s trip
to Brighton.

Lydia

It comes as no surprise that Lydia’s whole world revolves around
the officers, and who can blame her, really? She is fifteen, and in a small
village like Meryton there are few opportunities to meet young men. For her,
the departure of the militia is nothing short of a disaster – so much so that
it is almost one of the first things she mentions when she goes to meet Lizzy and
Jane at the inn after they return from Hunsford/London.

"They are going to be encamped near Brighton; and I do so
want papa to take us all there for the summer! It would be such a delicious
scheme, and I dare say would hardly cost anything at all. Mamma would like to
go too of all things! Only think what a miserable summer else we shall
have!"

Jane Austen provides us with an insight into the workings of
Lydia’s mind – and indeed into the fantasies of many a hormone-driven teenager,
revealing her vanity as well as her hopes and dreams.

“She saw, with the creative eye of fancy, the streets of that gay
bathing place covered with officers. She saw herself the object of attention to
tens and to scores of them at present unknown. She saw all the glories of the
camp … and, to complete the view, she saw herself seated beneath a tent,
tenderly flirting with at least six officers at once.”

Jane Austen is careful to show us that, behind that extraordinary
vision, however, there is a certain insecurity. It is no coincidence that after
she initially breaks the news of the Brighton plans to Lizzy and Jane, she
brings up the subject of marriage, showing that to her, flirting is not just an
idle pursuit.

“Have you seen any pleasant men? Have you had any
flirting? I was in great hopes that one of you would have got a husband before
you came back. Jane will be quite an old maid soon, I declare. She is almost
three-and-twenty! Lord, how ashamed I should be of not being married before
three-and-twenty!... Lord! how I should like to be married before any of you!”

Under Lydia’s flighty silliness, there is in fact
a sense of determination, and she accomplishes what she is determined to do.
Unlike her sisters, she will not come
back without a husband and she will be
married before them. Her perspective is flawed, however, because she does not
care how she achieves this goal.

Mrs. Bennet

Mrs. Bennet is most adamant about having her daughter go to
Brighton. There is a certain wistfulness in her desire to send Lydia to the
coast that shows how much she identifies with her youngest daughter. You could
almost feel sorry for her, in fact. It is clear that she is saddled with a
husband who has little interest in travelling or doing anything exciting. He
doesn’t even like to go to London.

“Lydia's going to Brighton was all that consoled her for the
melancholy conviction of her husband's never intending to go there himself.”

Evidently Mrs. Bennet feels she has missed out on her own youth.
Her lively spirits have been given no outlet when she is married to a man who
spends as much time as possible in his library. It is as if Mrs. Bennet has
chosen to live vicariously through her daughter. This need to see her daughter
enjoy life makes her blind to the dangers of sending her away with the equally
giddy Mrs. Forster.

Mrs. Bennet was diffuse in her good wishes for
the felicity of her daughter, and impressive in her injunctions that she would
not miss the opportunity of enjoying herself as much as possible -- advice
which there was every reason to believe would be attended to.

Mr. Bennet

Of
the four characters I’m dealing with, Mr. Bennet’s motivation is perhaps the
most flawed. In his avoidance of conflict at all costs, he is unwilling to take
a firm stance and is so good at side-stepping the issue that even Lizzy is
taken in by him.

“Elizabeth
saw directly that her father had not the smallest intention of yielding; but
his answers were at the same time so vague and equivocal, that her mother,
though often disheartened, had never yet despaired of succeeding at last.”

Lizzy
believes she understands her father. She thinks he sees things the way she
does, but she is proven wrong. The moment the Fosters offer to take Lydia with
them, Mr. Bennet is more than happy to yield, as long as it doesn’t require any
effort on his part. His initial refusal to allow Lydia to go doesn’t stem from
concern for Lydia. It stems from his reluctance to travel. “We shall have no
peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to Brighton. Let her go, then,” he
says.

Lizzy

Apparently, Lizzy
is the only one that shows any alarm at the possibility of sending Lydia off
unaccompanied. She feels it so strongly, that she is willing to “betray” her
sister by arguing against it.

"…detestable as such a step must make
her, were it known, she could not help secretly advising her father not to let
her go.

Since we identity with Lizzy, it is
easy to think that at least she was being sensible. However, Jane Austen
doesn’t let her main character off the hook. She very quickly reveals that
Lizzy has her own self-interest in mind, and Mr. Bennet is quick to seize on
that.

"If you were aware," said Elizabeth, "of the very
great disadvantage to us all which must arise from the public notice of Lydia's
unguarded and imprudent manner -- nay, which has already arisen from it, I am
sure you would judge differently in the affair.""Already arisen?" repeated Mr. Bennet. "What, has
she frightened away some of your lovers? Poor little Lizzy! But do not be cast
down. Such squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little
absurdity are not worth a regret. Come, let me see the list of the pitiful
fellows who have been kept aloof by Lydia's folly."

Elizabeth’s attempt to persuade her father not to send Lydia fails
precisely because it is centered on herself. She is thinking of Darcy and of what
he would think of her. This becomes even more complicated when it comes to not
mentioning what she knows about Wickham to her father. Again, she shows her
motivation is not primarily concern for Lydia. After all, knowing what she
knows about Wickham, and knowing that Lydia is bound to meet him, the least she
could have done is warn Lydia not to trust him (even if it fell on deaf ears).

Having revealed the flaws inherent in the Bennet’s perception of
Lydia’s trip to Brighton and what it means, Jane Austen leaves us with a sense
of inevitability. No one person alone is to blame for Lydia’s disastrous
choice. Everyone is. Consequently, the Bennets stare ruin in the face.

Thank heavens for Mr. Darcy, who sails right in and makes
everything alright. What would we have done without him?

Where Else To Find Me

I'm participating in a group project, THE DARCY BROTHERS, which you can find on Austen Variations.

To sample excerpts from my novels, check out reviews, and discover where the books are available please visit my web page

Reviews The Darcy Cousins

“Many beloved characters from P&P reappear, and it was a joy to read a sequel that breathes fresh yet true life into the denizens of Hunsford and Pemberley. No liberties are taken… Ms. Fairview provides excellent character extension to Mr. Darcy. Ms. Fairview is a definite treasure.” All About Romance

“a true battle of wit and wills that makes this such a classic read for me… simply charming continuation.” Book Junkie

"I was extremely impressed with the way Fairview weaves the story to capture the reader’s attention....The author uses old fashioned, tried and true storytelling, and this is a wonderful story... I thoroughly enjoyed this truly unique novel" Literary Escapism

"Fairview understands Georgiana’s personality perfectly adding a few surprise twists to Austen’s shy, trusting young lady that give her added depth and interest. Infused with humor, wit and a bit of social commentary Fairview has proven again why she was my top choice of Austenesque debut authors of 2009. She is well on her way to becoming a nonpareil in Austen paraliterature and I recommend The Darcy Cousins to those who dearly love a satisfying love story and a hearty laugh.” Austenprose